Acts Day 4 – Guest S.O.A.P. — Paul Lewis

Scripture: V23-24 as soon as they were freed, Peter and John found the other believers and told them what the leading priests and elders had said.

Observation: Peter and John shared the wins they had experienced in the past 24 hours. Their encouragement of God’s faithfulness and blessing united the believers. Their resonse was to pray and give thanks to God.

Application: We should never be timid in sharing what God has done as it should bring encouragement and unity among God’s people. The resonse should be prayers of thanksgiving and for continued bold action.

Prayer: God, help me to not remain silent when I see you in action. Help others to do the same so that we can rejoice together and praise your name.

Acts 3 — my S.O.A.P.

Day 3 Guest Blog – Mark Olmos

Title: God Keeps His Promises

Scripture
Acts 3:25 – (Peter to the Jews)  And you are heirs of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your fathers.  He said to Abraham, ‘Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed.’

Observation
Peter is preaching to the Jews in the temple after healing a man.  And in his message he tied the golden thread of God’s O.T. Promises to Jesus Christ.  To the first patriarch God promised a worldwide blessing and Peter now preaches the fulfillment of that promise.

Application
Although it’s always on His timetable, God keeps His promises.  I need to always be confident in the love, care, and leadership of my Father.  Through thick and thin and a host of imperfect people in the Old Testament God accomplished His plan.  So I can trust Him with my imperfect efforts to do what He wants to in me.

Prayer
Lord, I trust You.  I know you will keep Your promises in my life.  Amen

Day 2 Guest S.O.A.P. — Darius Sanders

Scripture: Acts 2:45
They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need.

Observation
The early church was all about helping each other out.  They went as far as selling things to make money to give to those in need.  They were “all in” as a church and made sure no one was left out.

Application
I want to carry the same “all in” mentality that the early church had.  Nicole and I do that by considering everything we own as God’s and we look for opportunities to be generous with it.  We’ve opened our home multiple times for people to stay as well as opened it up to have small groups meet and other gatherings.  We’ve taken opportunities to give to people in need when no one else was watching because we knew it would make a big difference in our lives as well as theirs.  The early church exploded in growth, physically and spiritually, and sustained because of people who realized that it wasn’t about them, but rather what they could do for others.  God has blessed me with a lot here on this earth and the last thing I want to do is make it all about myself.  God has given me a lot because He is entrusting me to be generous with it towards His people.  I need to keep my eyes open for opportunities to share with those in need to “be the church” God has called me to be.

Prayer
God, thank You for reminding me of the generosity of the early church. I pray that that generosity and “all in” mentality would be a prevalent part of me and Nicole’s life here on this earth.  Thank You for being so generous towards me; I pray that I would extend that generosity towards others, in Jesus name, amen.

Acts – Day 2

Today, we read chapter 2 of Acts.

Scripture: Acts 2:6-8
“When this sound occurred, the multitude came together and was confused because each one heard them speaking in their own language. And they were astonished and amazed, saying ‘look, aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? How is it that we hear, each one of us, in our own native language.’”

Observation: The Holy Spirit came upon the disciples and empowered them with gifts, specifically the ability to speak in a language they didn’t previously speak (tongues). These gifts were not for their own benefit, but to be a sign and ability to reach people for Jesus. When God’s people use God’s gifts for God’s glory, the world will take notice. God’s purpose was fulfilled, the repentance of lost people. God had all the resources the disciples needed, they simply needed to be available.

Application: I need to use all that He’s given me for His glory. I need to walk in faith and trust Him for the resources, ability to complete His purposes for my life.

Prayer: Lord, I’m available! I commit to using your gifts for your glory. I pray that people would be amazed by my life, because my ministry has clearly outperformed my capability. I want it to be completely for God’s glory!

My S.O.A.P. – Day 1

Guest S.O.A.P.

During this journey through Acts, I’m going to ask different people to share their daily S.O.A.P. from our readings. As Ryan Nunez, our Executive Pastor, shared his S.O.A.P. this morning in our staff gathering, I knew it needed to be shared. So thanks Ryan, everyone else enjoy the read…

Scripture: Acts 1:21-26: “So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was takenup from us – one of these men must become with us a witness to His resurrection. And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. And they aprayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these who you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place. And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell to Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.”

Observation: Jesus has ascended to heaven and left the apostles with the mission of spreading the Gospel with the help of the Holy Spirit upon whom they are waiting. One of their first orders of business as they await the Spirit is to replace Judas. Their requirements are to pick someone how has witness all of Jesus’ ministry. Of the 120 followers, two fulfill this requirement: Justus & Matthias. Matthias is chosen by the casting of lots.

Application: It is amazing to me that the first major decision of the church is decided by the casting of lots. However, as we look at the process, it is simple…
· Evaluate Qualifications

· Pray

· Turn it over to the Holy Spirit

The order is critical. As the decision process moves forward it moves further away from my thoughts & beliefs and closer to God’s. I need to make sure I am making decisions in this way.

Prayer: God, thank you for giving me a mind capable of reason and thought. Help me to use it as I should but to know when I need to turn the process over to You for Your input & guidance.

ACTS – beginning the journey

This morning Palm Valley Church begins reading through the book of Acts together. I woke my 11 year old son up early and had him help me film a quick intro to the journey (explains the shakiness ). I’m excited to walk through this incredible book together with the entire church family!

Reading Plan for November

As I prepare for bed this evening, I’m excited to wake up in the morning and begin reading through the book of Acts with my church family!  I’ve called the entire church family to read this book of the Bible together this month, asking God to ignite in our hearts a greater passion for His Church!  I believe this is a time that God is going to be doing a work in us that He eventually wants to do through us.  I’ll be posting here often as we read through the month, so check in regularly.

If you’d like to join with us, we’re simply reading a chapter a day, beginning with Acts chapter 1 on Monday, November 1st.  I encourage you to take 20-30 minutes a day with God, along with your Church family!  I’m praying for you, Greg

Crazy Days

Lori and I were laughing this morning about how crazy our schedule is right now, and how we didn’t want to add anything for a few weeks. Then I found out today that our Mastiff has a herniated stomach requiring surgery. I’m sure he’ll need a lot of babying for the next week

Oh well, thankful for a great vet, highly recommend Dr. Hatch at Palm Valley Animal Clinic if you’re ever in need!